FORT BUCHANAN
ARMY
Guaynabo, PR
United States
FORT BUCHANAN
ARMY
Guaynabo, PR
United States
Fort Buchanan
Base Essentials
Welcome to Fort Buchanan, the Sentinel of the Caribbean and the only federal military installation in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean! Fort Buchanan sits in the metropolitan area of San Juan, capital of Puerto Rico and supports a number of tenant activities, most of them branches from the U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Component, the U.S. Navy Reserve Navy Operations Support Center Puerto Rico and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The Puerto Rico National Guard is also present on base. It’s a great place to live and work, with a long history dating back to the late 1800s. The post employs approximately...
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
IMCOM
Status
Active
Est.
1923
Acres
746
Active Duty
—
Civilian
—
Population
2,300,000
Economic Impact
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Fort Buchanan History
Named AfterPresident James Buchanan
Fort Buchanan in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, was established in 1923 and is the only active Army installation in the Caribbean. Named after President James Buchanan, it serves as the primary military hub for Army Reserve, Army recruiting, and military support operations across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The installation plays a vital role in humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the region, as demonstrated during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
1st Mission Support Command (USAR)
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—
Fort Buchanan Garrison
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Historic Timeline
Timeline events coming soon
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fort Buchanan.
Fort Buchanan Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fort Buchanan.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Fort Buchanan.
Information
Fort Buchanan: In-Depth Welcome Center
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Information
19 San Juan Restaurants Near Fort Buchanan
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Fort Buchanan School Options: Day Care - High School
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Information
Fort Buchanan Activities: 14 of the Best Things To Do
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Fort Buchanan Housing: On-Post Options & More
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fort Buchanan.
Welcome Center
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In-Processing
Fort Buchanan is the only active U.S. Army installation in Puerto Rico, located in Guaynabo just outside San Juan. It’s a small garrison — primarily an administrative and support hub for Army Reserve and active component forces on the island — but a full military installation with core services. When you arrive, head to the Welcome Center in Building 152 on Chrisman Road. Call (787) 707-3333 or (787) 707-3938 before showing up to confirm your appointment. Walk-in hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 0700–1600, and Thursday 0700–1200.
A few things that set this posting apart from stateside assignments: Spanish is the dominant language in the local community, and any you have will serve you well off-post. Cost-of-living adjustments and COLA apply to Puerto Rico, so verify your entitlements with finance before you arrive. On-post housing is limited; most families live in the broader San Juan metro area, where BAH covers a reasonable range of options in neighborhoods like Guaynabo, Bayamón, and Caguas.
The island itself is genuinely spectacular — beaches, rainforest, Old San Juan, world-class food — and most who serve here count it among their better postings. The traffic around San Juan can be brutal; factor commute time into where you choose to live relative to the installation.
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Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Fort Buchanan.
On-Base Housing
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2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Fort Buchanan
85
15% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fort Buchanan.
School Liaison Officer
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Elementary Schools
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Middle Schools
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High Schools
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Colleges & Universities
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Popular Neighborhood
Suburban
Families
Short Commute
Neighborhood details coming soon
Nearby Community
Urban
Singles
Nightlife
Neighborhood details coming soon
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fort Buchanan.
State Income Tax
Military Pay
Retirement Pay
Vehicle Tax
Vehicle Registration
Coming soon
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Property Tax
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Spouse Income Tax
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Combat Zone
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Pet Policies at Fort Buchanan
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fort Buchanan.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
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Prohibited Animals
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Dog Parks
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Boarding & Kennels
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Pet Guidance
Coming soon
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Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Fort Buchanan.
Commissary
Coming soon
Exchange
Coming soon
Medical
Coming soon
Childcare & Youth
Coming soon
MWR & Recreation
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Buchanan.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
The Borinqueneers' Gate (Main Gate) is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Fort Buchanan.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Fort Buchanan.
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.